For 275 years, the Ptolemies ruled as Egypt’s last, enduring dynasty. Each king carried the name Ptolemy, and each queen carried the name Cleopatra, Berenice, or Arsinoe. They are remembered for their epic final moments – the Ptolemies knew how to go out in style. Flourishing as a prosperous and richly cultured empire, nothing compared to their opulence.
In the beginning, they were welcomed. The Egyptians had been under the rule of the Achaemenid Empire, which cared little for their religion or traditions. Conversely, the Ptolemies embraced their culture, blending their Macedonian heritage with Egyptian customs. Establishing their power and influence through diplomatic relations with Egyptian elites and the priesthood, their legitimacy was never questioned. Ambitious kings and formidable queens were highly organized, establishing numerous military colonies, tightly controlling commerce and trade, and providing aid to the less fortunate.
Greeks were invited into their magnificent capital of Alexandria. The Canopic Way, stretching from east to west down its center, was lined with vibrant, towering complexes and statuary. It was a marvel of Greek and Egyptian grandeur under rulers who expected no less. The Ptolemies reveled as divine saviors of Egypt; their festivals and accommodations were extravagant. The Great Library housed the most impressive collection of literary work known to history. The Lighthouse of Alexandria on the island of Pharos – a great wonder of the ancient world – was only surpassed in height by the pyramids of Giza.
The Lighthouse of Alexandria by Philip Galle. (Public Domain)
On the outside, the Ptolemies were seemingly unstoppable. However, behind a fantastical facade, otherworldly pursuits of glory were destined to wreak havoc. It is clear that they practiced incestual marriage. Some said they wished to imitate the gods. Others pointed to the Egyptian tradition of marrying within the family, though it was never as common as many believed it to be. Perhaps, it removed rival kingdoms from taking the throne or kept their bloodline pure. Whatever the reason, it never stood a chance. The Ptolemies were viciously unyielding to each other. Their dynasty was forever stained with the blood of kin, a legacy that destroyed them from the inside out.
Top image: The Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu. Source: Anton Ivanov Photo / Adobe Stock
By Jessica Nadeau
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